Did I make it back to the states already? Am I doing ministry in Las Vegas? Not exactly. I am starting month two in Jaco, Costa Rica. This small known is often known to be the Las Vegas of Costa Rica. Although filled with sweet people, blue beaches, a great atmosphere, and colorful artwork the town possess a darkness unlike any other. The night life is full of obscure actions. Drinking, gambling, drugs and prostitution all captivate the night life of Jaco. However, we have come to bring a little more life to the town.
I am staying at a missionary base called Ocean’s Edge. It is a little way off the main road in Jaco. Currently, it is all squad month so I am living with my 31 other squad mates and two squad leaders. We have been blessed to inquire a beautiful treehouse for a home. We have a large shared kitchen, multiple apartment style rooms with bunkbeds and bathrooms. The house contains an open second floor with couches and all the places to hang our hammocks. The property is secure and nicely gated. It is an incredibly wonderful place live for the next month!
Jaco, (pronounced HA-co), is a vibrant town with so much thirst for God. Our ministry was started by a woman named Hannah who has been living in Costa Rica for the last fifteen years. She has worked tirelessly to build relationships with the local shop owners, government, and residents. Through her hard work the Lord has provided here partnerships were volunteers and missionaries can come and live on the base and serve.
This month ministry includes a lot of different activities and are large group is forever busy and what the Lord has for this town, which are some big things!! We have been working with the local government to build a playground for an impoverished town in Azul, thirty minutes outside of Jaco. A team is working on a marketing project called #WeAre611, this is the area code for Costa Rica. The project is movement of like minded community members coming together to promote a brighter and better Jaco. Then Project611 is a directory on the businesses in Jaco telling their story and what they have to offer. Feel free to give them a follow on Facebook or Instagram as my team promotes the project this month! We have also been involved in projects are the base, youth groups, playing basketball to build relationships and mentor younger kids, painting murals at the new church, cleaning up the beach, feeding the homeless and more. Ocean’s Edge also has a surf camp for kids, they teach them how to surf and minister to them at the same time. Currently, the kids are on vacation but will be coming back in our last few weeks and I’m excited for the opportunity to come!
Lastly, our team has had the opportunity to step into night ministry. We go out in the town on prayer walks being led by the Holy Spirit. If you’re led to talk to some one as long as it is not cross gender you are more than welcome to. The woman in our group have started to build relationships with some of the working woman on the streets or in the casino. We are able to invite them out to lunch or coffee to talk with them and share the freedom that is out there for them. The men have been able to start to talk with local men and do the same.
In a week it’s been incredible the things God is doing in this town. Hannah’s vision is to destroy the name of being the Las Vegas of Costa Rica and bring truth, freedom and light to Jaco. I am excited to be here for the next month, God is already moving in big ways!
I ask that you keep my squad and I in your prayers, we are asking for prayers of protection and words of wisdom. That what we say to those hear in Jaco are from the Holy Spirit and that He may guide us and touch some of the lives here.
If you feel led to support me on this journey I am slowly inching towards getting fully funded! Feel free to donate at rachelosmundson.theworldrace.org. Otherwise, please subscribe to my blog and follow along or give me a follow on Instagram @rachelosmundson for photo updates on this crazy ride!!
Much love & many blessings,
Rachel
